Ovulation induction, as the name suggests, induces the process of ovulation artificially. The procedure involves the use of medication to encourage the production of one or more mature follicles. Without ovulation-inducing medicines, some women do not generate mature follicles regularly. As a result, it increases ovulation-related issues and leads to problems in conceiving
The Role of Ovulation
If you struggle with ovulation issues, you will also typically have irregular (or absent) menstrual cycles, which makes it exceptionally difficult to accurately track your cycle and pinpoint an optimal window for conception.
The root cause of irregular or absent ovulation is usually uncovered during the fertility testing process, and each patient’s treatment plan will differ depending on the underlying problem causing the ovulatory dysfunction.
Ovarian stimulation is often used to treat couples with unexplained infertility or as part of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle, but the primary goal in each scenario differs:
- With unexplained infertility (meaning all fertility tests are normal, including semen analysis and fallopian tubes are open), the goal is to stimulate one or more eggs to be released with the hope that at least one will fertilize and result in a pregnancy.
- With IVF, the goal is to stimulate the growth of multiple follicles so that several eggs can be retrieved, fertilized, and make multiple embryos. This allows for the “best” embryo to be transferred into the uterus.
What happens during the Procedure?
The ovulation induction process is performed in steps:
- Stimulation
Clomiphene citrate is one of the drugs used to induce ovulation. Such oral medications stimulate the development of the follicles that contain the eggs. Other medications known as gonadotropins may also be recommended. That is for circumstances when you do not ovulate or ovulate but do not become pregnant after clomiphene therapy. Also, these medications can be given alone or in combination. Throughout the stimulation cycle, your hormone levels and follicular development are monitored. Depending on the progress, the drug or its dosage can be changed. - Control
Before beginning with the ovulation induction therapy, tests are done to ensure the levels of other hormones. Similarly, after the procedure, more tests are done to observe the changes in your body. These tests are used to compare your natural hormone levels, as well as the changed levels. - Final results
When your follicles mature and are ready to ovulate, you will receive an intramuscular injection of hCG. That prepares you for intercourse or intrauterine insemination when the follicles are mature. Besides, the follicles usually range between 16 and 20 mm in diameter, depending on the stimulation medication
Who can use Ovulation Induction?
The following are some indications for ovulation induction:
- Women with anovulatory cycles : Anovulation is a condition where the ovaries do not release an egg regularly, leading to irregular or absent menstrual cycles. Ovulation induction helps stimulate the ovaries to release eggs, improving the chances of conception.
- Luteal phase defect: After ovulation, the luteal phase is the second half of the menstrual cycle. A luteal phase defect occurs when this phase is too short, potentially leading to difficulties in implantation and maintaining a pregnancy.
- Unexplained infertility: In cases where the cause of infertility cannot be identified through routine diagnostic tests, ovulation induction may be considered as treatment.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is a common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, often leading to irregular ovulation or anovulation. Ovulation induction is commonly used in PCOS patients to regulate ovulation and increase the likelihood of pregnancy.
Benefits of Ovulation Induction
The following are some of the potential benefits of ovulation induction:
- Increased chances of conception: Ovulation induction aims to stimulate the ovaries to produce more eggs, increasing the likelihood of successful fertilization. This can be especially helpful for couples struggling with infertility due to irregular or absent ovulation.
- Controlled and monitored cycle: Ovulation induction allows healthcare providers to closely monitor the woman’s menstrual cycle, making it easier to predict and time ovulation accurately. This precision enhances the chances of successful conception, as it allows optimal timing of intercourse or other assisted reproductive techniques.
- Treatment for ovulatory disorders: Ovulation induction is often used to address conditions such as PCOS or anovulation, where the ovaries do not release eggs regularly.
- Customizable treatment: Ovulation induction can be tailored to the individual’s needs. The dosage and duration of medications can be adjusted based on the woman’s response, allowing a personalized and optimized treatment plan.
- Minimally invasive: Ovulation induction is a relatively non-invasive procedure compared to more complex fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). It involves the administration of medications (often oral or injectable fertility drugs) to stimulate the ovaries, without the need for surgery.
- Cost-effective: In comparison to some other fertility treatments, ovulation induction tends to be more cost-effective. This makes it a more accessible option for couples seeking fertility assistance.
Natural conception: Ovulation induction increases the chances of natural conception, allowing couples to conceive without the need for more advanced assisted reproductive technologies.
Ovulation Induction Process
- Initial evaluation: Before starting ovulation induction, a thorough evaluation of the patient’s medical history, menstrual cycle, hormone levels, and any underlying fertility issues is conducted.
- Baseline hormone assessment: Blood tests are often performed on specific days of the menstrual cycle to measure hormone levels, such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH).
- Ovarian reserve testing: Ovarian reserve is assessed to determine the quantity and quality of a woman’s remaining eggs. This is often done through antral follicle count (AFC) using ultrasound and/or AMH levels.
- Ovulation monitoring: Ovulation is monitored closely through hormonal assays and ultrasound scans to track the growth of ovarian follicles, which are fluid-filled sacs that contain eggs. Monitoring helps determine the optimal time for triggering ovulation.
FAQs
Ovulation induction is a fertility treatment that uses medication to stimulate egg production in women who have irregular or absent ovulation due to conditions like PCOS or unexplained infertility.
Common medications include Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid), Letrozole, and injectable gonadotropins like FSH and LH to stimulate follicle growth.
Yes, ovulation induction can slightly increase the likelihood of multiple pregnancies (twins or triplets), especially with injectable gonadotropins.
The procedure itself is not painful, but some women may experience mild side effects like bloating, mood swings, or mild pelvic discomfort due to ovarian stimulation.
